Machine for and method of operating upon the heel portions of shoes



MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF OPERATING UPON THE HEEL'PORTIONS OF SHOESFiled April 25, 1941 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I56 I50 154 12a 4521 ,190

W gwam I we Aug. 25, 1942.

F. E. STRATTON 2,293,863 MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF PEBATING UPON THEHEEL-PORTTONS 0F sHoEs Filed April 25, 1 941 s sheets-sheet 2 g- 1942- II F. E. STRATTON 2,293,863 I MACHINE FOR AND aim-non 0F OPERATING UPONTHE HEEL-PORTIONS OF SHOES Filed April 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Figsgym/5275i? Patented Aug. 25, 1942 MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF OPERAT- INGUPON THE HEEL SHOES PORTIONS F Frank E. Stratton, Beverly, Mass,assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J., acorporation of New Jersey Application April 25, 1941, Serial No. 390,316

42 Claims.

My invention relates to the performance of operations upon theheel-portions of shoes, it being more especially concerned with theinsertion of fasten-sings, as those used for attaching a heel orheel-portions.

lnLetters Patent of the United States No. 2,207,742, La Chapelle, July16, 1940, as modified in some respects by the Patent 2,293,624 grantedAugust 18, 1942, on an application filed in the name of Winfield H.Parkhurst, is disclosed a machine by which a heel, held upon theheel-seat of a shoe, is pricked to form fastening-receiving openings,after which attaching fastenings are inserted in the openings. In amachine of this character and in others, it is important that a tool, asthe drivers of La Chapelle and Parkhurst, acting as awls, shall enterthe work to a predetermined depth, so the opening may terminate in thedesired relation, or that a fastening being inserted by a tool shallhave its head sunk to the proper extent.

An object of my invention is to provide for the control of a tool,whether it be of the character of an awl for making an opening in work,a reciprocatory driver for inserting a peg or a nail, with or withoutthe formation of a receiving opening, or a rotary driver for inserting ascrew, so in each case the movement of the tool shall be determined. Forthe accomplishment of this object, I combine with a support for the workand a movable operating tool, such a member as a feeler, movable in thesupport or in co-o-peration with clamped work to test the position ofsaid work, and thereby control the movement of the tool and so theextent to which it is advanced. If a lasted shoe is to be operated upon,the last will be provided with a passage through which the feeler ismovable, preferably into engagement with the heel-plate of the last,since this is free from the irregularities which may ocour in a shoe. Inmaking such a test, the last is to be considered a portion of the work.The feeler may receive its testing movement, as by connection to aco-operating piston and cylinder, through fluid-pressure, and may actupon fluidlcontrolling means, as a valve. In the present embodiment ofthe invention, a feeler, by moving to test the work, sets the valve,which limits the movement of a stop, and this, in turn, so .positions atransmitting member that a definite amount of lost-motion is introducedbetween a carrier for the tool and the means by which it is actuated.Since, in the operating cycle of the shall be controlled in this mannerand shall also act independently of such control, as in the successivework-pricking and fastening-driving operations of La Chapelle andParkhurst, a retaining member co-operates with the stop to render itselectively effective or inefiective. In connection with this phase ofthe invention, there is also involved a method for operating upon theheel-portions of shoes, in accordance with which a shoe is jacked, itsposition upon the jack tested, and a tool advanced to operate upon theshoe to an extent determined by the test. When the method is utilizedfor the attachment of heels to shoes by fastenings in the manner of thepreviously mentioned patent and application, the tool may be a driver,whichis advanced to act as an :awl and .prick the work in accordancewith the test, and is then again advanced to serve as a driver to insertthe fastening in the pricked opening.

A further object of the invention is to apply to the work the fence bywhich it is held for the operations upon it, as to the establishment ofpreliminary engagement and the creation of final clamping pressure, bysimple and eflicient mechanism. This is effected by fluid-pressureproduced by a member movable by the operator, which may cause theengagement of the workholding means. Then, means acting under the powerof the machine may increase the fluidpressure for the clamping of thework. Retaining means for the operator-moved member is preferablyfiuid-pressure-actuated. Herein is shown a pair of cylinders with theirco-operating pistons, an element of one pair being actuated by theoperator through a treadle and one of the other pair moving under theinfluence of the fonce which the operator thus creates to placepreliminary pressure upon the work. This is increased to final pressureby movement between a third piston and cylinder under the power of themachine. The final fluid-pressure is temporarily retained in thepreliminary-pressurecylinder by a check-valve interposed between it and.the final-pressure-cylinder. This ensures against displacement of thework under the force of the operating tool. Retaining or latching meansfor the treadle is shown as furnished by still another piston andcylinder, controllable by the operator.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a particular embodiment of myinvention,

Fig. 1 showing the improved machine in partial machine, it may bedesired that the same tool front elevation;

Fig. 2 being a horizontal section on the line II-II of Fig. 5;

Fig. 3, a diagrammatic representation of the fluid-pressure-system;

Fig. 4, a broken front elevation of the lower portion of the machine;and

Fig. 5, a central vertical section through this portion, taken fromfront to rear of the apparatus.

The general organization herein disclosed may be that of the previouslymentioned application. Carried on a frame It is a die-block l2, whichserves as a support for a heel or lift to be attached to the heel-seatof a shoe, and also as an abutment supporting said shoe against clampingpressure. In passages in the die operate tools I4, in the presentinstance serving both as awls to prick the work and drivers to insertattaching fastenings in the pricked openings. In the machines abovementioned, these fastenings ar in l the form of fiber pegs, presented ininserting position by a movable loader-block I6. The drivers I4 aremounted upon a carrier, which may consist of a top-girt I8 bridgedbetween side-rods 20,

reciprocating vertically in the frame and connected by a cross-girt 22.Power is applied to the cross-girt to reciprocate the carrier with thedrivers through a crosshead 24, guided for vertical movement at oppositesides of the frame. The crosshead is actuated by a double cam 26, 26,rotated by a shaft 28 journaled horizontally in the frame, these camsengaging opposite rolls 30, 30 rotatable upon the crosshead. The shaft28 is driven through an unillustrated single-rotation clutch controlledby the usual hand-lever. The cams, turning through 360 during anoperating cycle of the machine, produce first a pricking reciprocationof the drivers I4, and then an inserting reciprocation. A shoe S, towhich a heelportion H is to be attached, is supported upon a jack-post32, movable horizontally on a bracket 34 between work-receiving andoperating positions. The-bracket is reciprocated vertically in oppositeguides in the frame to force the heelseat of the jacked shoe against theheel-portion, positioned at the underside of the die I2 by a holder 35,and to lower it for the reception of a shoe.

Taking up now the features peculiar to this invention, the jack-bracket34 rests by gravity, partially counterbalanced by opposite springs 38,38, upon a piston 48, movable vertically in a cylinder 42 supported atthe front of the frame. Shown as formed integrally with the cylinder 42,and extending downwardly therefrom, is a cylinder 44 of smallerdiameter, in which is a piston 46. The two cylinders communicate witheach other through a port 48, controlled by a checkvalve openinupwardly. Rotatable upon the bottom of the piston 46 is a roll 52,resting upon the periphery of a cam 64 fast upon the shaft 28. A spring56, interposed between the piston 46 and the head of the cylinder 44,maintains the roll in contactwith the cam.

Mounted at the bottom of the frame is a vertical cylinder 60, in which apiston 62 is movable. Joined to the top of this piston at 64, and guidedat opposite sides in the frame, is a slide 68, from the front of whichprojects a treadle I0. The piston and treadle are held normally raisedby a tension-spring I2. As appears in the diagram of Fig. 3, conduits I4and I6, connected to the cylinder at points normally just below thepiston 62, lead, respectively, to the bottom of the upper jack-cylinder42 and to a supply-tank I8 for oil or other fluid to be employed as thepressuretransmitting medium. From the lower portion of thetreadle-cylinder 60, conduits and 82 are joined, respectively, to thetop of the lower jackcylinder 44 and to the tank I8 by way, in part, ofthe conduit 16. Beside the treadle-cylinder is a vertical cylinder 84,in which is a piston 86 normally raised by a tension-spring 88. At theupper extremity of the rod on this piston is a, head 90, by engagementwith which the treadle-piston 62 may be latched down against theelevatin force of its spring I2. Extending beneath the head is a latch62, movable horizontally through the upper end of the treadle-slide 68,it being held yieldably in its active position by a tensionspring 94.Lying at the rear of a depending portion 96 of the latch 92 is the upperextremity of a releasing lever 98, fulcrumed upon the treadleslide 68and which may be actuated through a foot-pad I60. Above the piston 86,the cylinder 84 is connected with the conduit 80 at I02. In the conduit80, between the connection I02 and the cylinder 44, is a check-valve I04opening toward the cylinder. A check-valve I86 in the conduit 82 openstoward the cylinder 60. The conduit 00 is joined to the conduit I6through a relief-valve I68, opening toward the latter conduit.

. It is set to blow off to the tank 18 when pressure in thejack-cylinder 44, created by movement of the piston 46, exceeds thedesired amount.

To elevate the jack 32 with the applied shoe to operating positionbeneath the die I2, the operator depresses the treadle I0, lowering thepiston 62 in its cylinder. The conduits I6 and 14 are at once closed bythe piston, and this, acting through the fluid filling the system fromthe tank I8, creates pressure through the conduit 80, the conduit 82being closed by the check-valve I06. This pressure is applied to thejack-cylinder 44 and through the open check-valve 50 to the cylinder 42beneath the piston 48, which has been lowered by its weight and that ofthe jack elements which it supports. The piston and jack are therebylifted to the operating position of the latter, the jacked shoe-exertingupon the heelportion held beneath the die a relatively light pressurewhich permits the work to be adjusted by the operator. As the piston 62descends to create the jack-elevating force through the conduit 80, thepressure is simultaneously applied to the cylinder 84 through theconnection I02 above the piston 86. Therefore, this piston is lowered,and the head 90 is maintained in its retaining position in contact withthe latch 92. On both sides of the connection I82 the conduit 80 isclosed against the escape of pressure, so the piston 86 cannot rise. Theoperator starts the power-cycle of the machine, and the cam 54 isrotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4. A sharp rise at IIOupon the cam quickly elevates the piston 46. This produces pressure inthe cylinder 44, which is communicated past the check-valve 50 to thecylinder 42, and this, transmitted to the jack, produces a relativelyheavy clamping pressure upon the work, to the degree allowed by therelief-valve I08 and retained by the check-valve I04. The periphery II2of the cam may have a slight, gradually increasing radius to maintainthis pressure, if there are leaks in the system past the pistons.Because of the check-valve 50, the pressure which has been created inthe cylinder 42 by the piston 46 is temporarily locked therein. Thisprevents the possible forcing away of the Work from the die I2, if thedrivers I4 in their action encounter a resistance, say that offered byan unusually hard heel, which produces a momentary back-pressure greaterthan that for which the relief-valve I08 is set.

7 As the operating cycle approaches its termination, the abrupt returnof the periphery of the cam 54 at II4 to its minimum radius allows thespring 56 to lower the piston 46 to its initial position. This loweringof the piston causes suction in the conduit 80, opening the check-valveI04 and withdrawing fluid from the latching cylinder 84, so the piston86 is lifted by the spring 88. The rising of the head 90 permits thelatch 92 to move with it, so the piston 62 and the treadle 10 arerestored to normal by the spring.

12. To avoid resistance to this movement by the creation of a Vacuum inthe cylinder 60, fluid is admitted from the tank 18, through theconduits 16 and 82 and the check-valve I06. As the piston 62 approachesthe end of its upward travel, it opens the conduits 14 and 16 andthrough these the fluid flows from the cylinder 42 to the tank, thepiston 40 and jack 32 falling to their normal positions. If, beforestarting the power-cycle of the machine, the operator wishes to free thework which has been clamped by the depression of the treadle, heactuates the releasing lever 98. This withdraws the latch 92 from thehead 90, so the spring 12 is free to lift the piston 62 and the treadle10, as just indicated. The latching piston 86 is at the same time liftedby its spring 88. Pressure is removed from the cylinders 42 and 84, sothe jack falls and the latching piston 86 rises.

The shoe S, which the illustrated machine is especially designed tooperate upon, is carried by a last L, in which is a passage 1 extendingfrom the crown of the last-cone to the usual heel-plate m. In jackingthe work, the passage Z receives a pin I I projecting from the top-plateor last-bed-piece H2 of the jack 32. The plate is preferably mountedupon the jack by a balland-socket joint II4, which gives a capacity foruniversal oscillation of the pin IIO to allow the heel-seat of the shoeto correctly engage the heel or heel-portion H, carried in the holder 35upon the die I2. The top-plate H2 is held in place upon the jack, so itmay readily be removed and replaced, by spring retaining fingers II8extending from the plate beneath a curved surface I20 upon a slide I22mounted in ways I24 upon the jack, so it may be moved transversely andthe work located in this direction with respect to the heel. Movable inthe formed together upon a hub, I54 (Fig. 2),, from which project spacedlugs I56, I56. Through these lugs are threaded screws I58, I58, theinner ends of the screws engaging opposite sides of a lug I60 formedwith that portion of the lever which has the arm I46. By backing off onescrew and setting up the other, the normal angular position of thelever-arms I50 and I52 may be varied without disturbing the gearedportion of thelever I48.

At the rear of the crosshead 24 is a vertical cylinder I66 (Fig. 5)containing such a fluid as oil, and in which a piston I 68 is movable,this piston having at its lower portion a chamber I10 from which apassage I12 extends upwardly. Through the passage and chamber, a rod I14passes, carrying at its lower extremity a valve I16 forced against aseat I18 at the bottom of the chamber I10 by an expansion-spring I80,interposed between the piston and a shoulder upon the rod. Above theupper end of the rod extends the arm I52 of the lever I48, so, if thisarm is depressed against the force of a tension-spring I82 whichnormally lifts it, it will lower the rod and sepaate the valve I16 fromits seat, to the extent that therod is moved. To effect this depression,there is,linked' at I84 (Fig. 1) to the arm I50 a piston I86 movable ina cylinder I88 mounted upon the frame.

Arranged for horizontal reciprocation in ways I90upon an upwardextension I 92 from the crosshead 24 is a slide I94, the outer end ofwhich has a downwardly and inwardly inclined surface I96. This surfaceis drawn by tension-springs I98 against a complemental surface 200 uponthe upper extremity of the piston I68. At the underside of the slide isa downwardly and outwardly inclined surface 202, arranged for engagementwith a complemental surface 204 upon the crossgirt 22. Links 206 hung atopposite sides of the crosshead-extension I92 have vertical slots toreceive projections 208 from the cross-girt. Mounted for verticalreciprocation in the crosshead is a retaining plunger 2I 0, having atits top a projection 2I2 entering a slot 2I4 in the piston I68. Theplunger is positioned by a roll 2| 6 lying in a cam-groove 2I8 in theouter face of the rear cam 26, and rotatable upon an arm 220 pivotedupon the crosshead and upon which the plunger rests (Fig. 1)

At the beginning of an operating cycle, the cam-groove 2I8 holds theplunger 2I0 raised, its projection 2I2 retaining the piston I68elevated. This, by engagement of the surfaces 200 and I96, forces backthe slide I94, so its surface 202 is in contact with thecross-girt-surface 204. The

lever-arm I52 is raised by the spring I82, so the head being ofconsiderable diameter and curved upon its underside to facilitate theoscillatory movement of said gage-pin. At its lower extremity, the rodI30 lies above the angular end of the generally horizontal arm I36 of abellcrank-lever I38, having an upwardly extending arm I40 (Fig. 1), andfulcrumed upon the frame at one side of the rear of the jack 32. Therodengaging end of the arm I 36 passes through an opening I42 in thejack. Meshed gear-segments I44, I44 connect the lever-arm I40 to an armI46 of a compound bell-crank-lever I48, fulcrumed upon the frame aboveth lever I38.

The lever- I48 has two other arms I50 and I52 rod I14 is freed to holdthe valve I16 against its seat under the influence of the spring I80.When the operator treadles the machine to apply preliminary pressure tothe jacked work by creating fluid-pressure in the conduit 80, thecylinder I88 receives the pressure through a conduit 230 joined Y to theconduit 80. Resulting movement of the piston I86 swings up the lever-armI50 and, through the gearing I44, lifts the arm I36 and with it thejack-rod I30and gage-pin I26, until the latter is stopped by contactwith the heel-plate l of the last L. The pin or feeler thus tests theposition of the work, as furnished by the heelplate, and therefore ofthe inner surface of the insole of the shoe S, as this is held againstthe heel-plate by the clamping pressure. By this test, the lever-arm I52i proportionately lowered, and contact with the valve-rod I14 depressesthe valve I16, making a setting thereof in accordance with th test,which separates the valve a definite distance from its seat I18. Whenthe operator has tripped the clutch of the machine to start an operatingcycle, the cam-groove 2I8 at once draws down the retaining plunger 2 Iand frees the piston I68. The springs I98 which urge the transmittingslide I94 against the upper end of the piston, cause this to descend,the fluid in the cylinder passing through the open port into the chamberI10. When the seat I18 reaches the valve, closing the port, a body offluid is trapped in the cylinder below the valve, resisting furthermovement of the piston. With descent of the piston thus stopped,movement of the transmitting slide will be arrested in'a definiteposition corresponding to the feeler-movement and the valve-setting. Thesurface 202 of the slide is now separated from the surface 204 of thecross-girt by a predetermined space, and, when the cams 26 produce thepricking stroke of the drivers I4 during theearlier portion of thecycle, the crosshead-extension I92 carrying the slide will have adefinite amount of lost-motion before the surfaces 202 and 204 contact.By properly proportioning the elements and by adjustment of the leverI48, this may cause the ends of the drivers I4 to advance into thedesired relation to the outer surface of the heel-plate Z, as justthrough the insole. Thus, contact of the drivers with the heel-plate andits mutilation may be avoided. Upon the retraction of the driversthrough the rise of th crosshead by the cams 26, upon completion of thepricking stroke, the camgroove 2I8 lifts the plunger 2I0. The projection2I2 elevates the piston I68, forcing back the surface 202 of the slideI94 against the surface 204 of the cross-girt. The lower extremities ofthe slots in the links 206, which slots allowed the lostmotion of thecrosshead, engage the projections 208 to fully lift the cross-girt withthe side-rods, top-girt and drivers. As the rotation of the cams 26continues for the production of the fasteninginserting stroke of thedrivers, the descent of the crosshead finds the cross-girt ready totravel with it without lost-motion, because of the engagement of thesurfaces 202 and 204. Therefore, the drivers descend solely under thecontrol of the cams to insert the fastenings in the pricked openings,with their outer ends in the desired relation to the tread-surface ofthe heel. When the retrac-' tion of the treadle-piston 62 removes thepressure from the conduit 80, the lever-arm I52 is raised by the springI82, freeing the rod I14. The spring I80 thereupon brings the valve I16up against its seat I18, restoring the parts to normal,

To outline the general operation of th machine and the performance ofthe method of this invention, the operator, with the jack 32 drawn outupon the bracket 34, places the passage in a last L, upon which is ashoe S, over the pin IIO with the last-crown resting upon the topplateH2, and applies to the holder 35 a heel or heel-portion H to beattached, The jack-pin will contain a gage-pin or feeler I26, of such alength that for the work being operated upon its upper extremity will bespaced from the heelplate Z by a suitable distance through which toproduce the work-testing movement. With the jack returned to operatingposition beneath the die-block I2, the operator depresses the treadle10, the simultaneous lowering of the piston 62 applying fluid-pressureto the piston 40 to lift the heel-seat of the shoe against the heel. Thelatching .piston 86 is lowered by the fluid-pressure with the piston '62to hold down the latter, to-

I shoe.

gether with the treadle. With the Work under the relatively lightpreliminary pressure, it may be adjusted to establish a correct relationbetween the heel-seat of the shoe and the heel in the holder. If, forany reason, the operator wishes to relieve the pressure upon the work,he depresses the foot-pad I00, this withdraws the latch 92 from the headof the latching piston 86. The treadle-piston is now free to be raisedby its spring 12 and the piston 40 and jack 32 to fall by gravity.Simultaneously with the elevation of the piston 40 .by the hydraulicmechanism upon actuation of the treadle 10, pressure is applied to thecylinder I88. This elevates the gage-pin or feeler I26, until itcontacts with the heel-plate l, determining its position and thereforethat of any associated part of the work, as the inner surface of theinsole of the jacked shoe, into a definite relation to which it isdesired to advance the drivers I4. Through the connecting chain ofelements, lever-arm I52 is moved against the stem or rod of the valveI16, to set it a corresponding distance from the seat I18 upon thepiston I68, in accordance with the advance of the feeler. The work beingthus clamped and measured, the operator actuates the starting lever ofthe machine to effect a single rotation of the shaft 28 with the cams26and 54. The cam 54 promptly forces up the piston 46, applyingfluid-pressure from the cylinder 44 through the check-valve 50 andcylinder 42 to the piston 40. Final clamping pressure is thus placedupon the work The dimensions of the cylinders 42 and 44, together withthose of the associated cylinders, are such as to create in eachinstance the proper relative forces and rates of travel. The check-valve50 temporarily locks the pressure in the cylinder 42, so a forceexceeding that for which the relief-valve I08 is set, and exerted by thedrivers I4, may be resisted. As the shaft 28 rotates, the cam-groove 2I8releases the retaining plunger 2I0 and, therefore, the piston I68, andthe transmitting slide I94 is carried by its springs through a distancedependent upon the valve-setting. By the resulting separation betweenthe surfaces 202 and 204, a measured amount of lost-motion is createdbetween the extension of the crosshead 24 and the cross-girt 22. Therotation of the cams 26 now causes the descent of the crosshead, and,when the space between the surfaces 202 and 204 is taken up, thecross-girt, with the connected siderods and the top-girt carrying thedrivers or tools I4, are lowered. These drivers, acting as awls, prickthe heel H and heel-seat of the shoe S to the chosen depth. Continuedrotation of the cams 26 retracts the drivers, and the fastenings arebrought over the passages in the die I2 by the loader-block I6. Inpreparation for the insertion of the fastenings in the pricked openings,the cam-groove 2I8 lifts the plunger 2H) and piston I68, so, as the cams26 retract the drivers, said piston returns the slide I94 to its normalposition with the surfaces 202 and 204 in engagement, the links 206having raised the crossgirt with the cam-actuated crosshead. The finalrotation of the cams 26 causes th second descent of the drivers I4,without reference to work-measurement, to insert the fastenings from theloader-block through the di into the pricked openings, whereupon saidloader-block is retracted. The cam 54 releases the final-pressurepiston46, and the jack 32 falls with the heeled The pressure in thefluid-system is thus relieved, and the latching piston 66 is raised byits spring allowing the treadle-piston 62 to be similarly raised.Removal of pressure from the cylinder I88 permits the feeler mechanismto be returned to normal. The operating cycle is now completed, and thejack may be drawn out, and the heeled shoe removed.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination with a support for work, of a movable tool foroperating upon the supported work, a member-movable in the support afterthe application of the work thereto to test the position of said work,and means governed by the member for controlling the movement of thetOOl.

2. The combination with a jack for a shoe upon a last, of a movable toolfor operating upon th jacked shoe, a position-testing member movable inthe jack to make contact with said jacked shoe, and means governed bythe member for controlling the movement of the tool.

3. The combination with a jack provided with a last-pin, of a movabletool for operating upon a jacked shoe, a position-testing memberinitially spaced from the end of the last-pin and movable in saidlast-pin, and means governed by the member for controllingthe movementof the tool. 7

4. The combination with a jack for a shoe upon a last in which is apassage, ofa movable tool for operating upon the shoe, a member movablein the last-passage after the application of the lasted shoe to the jackto test the position of said shoe, and means governed by the member forcontrolling. the movement of the tool.

5. The combination with a jack for a shoe upon -a last in which is apassage, of a movable tool for operating upon the jacked shoe, a membermovable in thelast-passage into contact with a portion of the last, andmeans governed by the member for. controlling the movement of the tool.v,

6. Thecombination with ajackfor a shoe upon a last in which isa passageterminating at a heel-plate, of a movable tool for operating upon thejacked shoe, a member movable in the last-passage into contact with theheel-plate, and means governed by the member for controlling themovement of the tool. 7 V

'7. In a fastening-inserting machine, opposite members between whichwork is clamped, a movable tool for operating upon the work, a membermovable to test the position of the clamped work, and means governed bythe member for controlling the extent of movement of the tool.

8. In a fastening-inserting machine, fluidpressure actuatingmechanism, amovable tool for operating upon the work, means for clamping the work, amember movable by the fluidpressure mechanism to test the positionof theclamped work, and means governed by the member for controlling theextent of movement of the .tool.

9. In a fastening inserting machine, a work-. support, a toolco-operating with the ,support and movable to prick the work and .todrive fasteningsinto the pricked openings, a feeler movable inco-operation with the support, and means governed by the feeler fordetermining the extent of the pricking stroke of the tool.

10. In a fastening-inserting machine, a worksupport, a tool co-operatingwith the support and movable successively to prick the work and to drivefastenings into the pricked openings,

- fected.

11. In a fastening-inserting machine, clamping means for the work, amovable tool for operating upon the work, a movable actuating member forthe tool, a member movabl to test the position of the clamped work, andmeans governed by the testing member for introducing into the movementof the actuating member a variable amount of lost-motion.

12. The combination with a support for work, of a movable tool foroperating upon the supported work, a member movable to test the positionof the work, and fluid-controlling means governed by the member fordetermining the movement of the tool.

13. The combination with a support for work, of a movable tool foroperating upon the supported work, a member movable to test the positionof the work, fluid-pressure means for thus moving the member, and meansgoverned by the member for determining the movement of the tool.

14. The combination with a support for work, of a movable tool foroperating upon the supported work, a member movable to test the positionof the work, a valve set by the member, and means governed by thesetting of the valve to control the movement of the tool.

15. The combination with a support for work, of a movable tool foroperating upon the supported work, a member movable to test the positionof the work, a stop positioned under the control of the member,actuating means for the tool, and a member positioned by the stop andthrough which the actuating means afiects the tool.

16. The combination with a support for work, of a movable tool foroperating upon the supported work, a member movable to test the positionof the work, a stop set under the control of the member, actuating meansfor the tool, a member positioned by the stop and through which theactuating means affects the tool, a retaining member for the stop, andmeans for rendering the retaining member efiec'tive or ineifective.

17. The combination with a support for work, of a movable tool foroperating upon the supported work, a member movable to test the positionof the work, a valve set by the member, a stop positioned by the valve,actuating means for the tool, and a member urged yieldably intoengagement with the stop and through which the actuating member affectsthe tool.

18. In a fastening-inserting machine, a worksupport, a tool co-operatingwith the support and movable successively to prick the work and to drivefastenings into the pricked openings, a feeler movable in co-operationwith the support, a stop positioned under the control of the feeler,actuating means for the tool, a transmitting member positioned by thestop and through which the actuating means affects the tool during thepricking stroke, and means for removing the stop from the control of thefeeler during the driving stroke of the tool.

19. In a fastening-inserting machine, a worksupport, a tool co-operatingwith the support and movable successively to prick thework and to drivefastenings into the pricked openings, a feeler movable in co-operationwith the support,

a stop positioned under the control of the feeler, actuating means forthe tool, a transmitting member positioned by the stop and through whichthe actuating means afiects the tool during the pricking stroke, aretaining member for the stop, and means acting during each operatingcycle for moving the retaining member to effective and inefiectivepositions.

20. In a heel-attachin machine, a support for a shoe and heel, a feelerco-operating with the support, a member movable to operate upon thesupported Work, means for producing engagement of the work by thefeeler, and means governed by the feeler for controlling the movement ofthe member.

21. In a heel-attaching machine, a support for a shoe and heel, a feelerco-operating with the support, a reciprocatory fastening driver, andmeans governed by the feeler for controlling the extent of movement ofthe driver.

22. In a heel-attaching machine, a support for a shoe and heel, a feelerco-operating with the support, a tool for operating upon the work, areciprocatory carrier for the tool, a reciprocatory actuating member forthe carrier, and a member movable to different positions between thecarrier and actuating member and controlled by the feeler.

23. In a heel-attaching machine, a support for a shoe and heel, a feelerco-operating with the support, a tool for operating upon the work, areciprocatory carrier for the tool, a reciprocatory actuating member forthe carrier, and a member movable to difierent positions between thecarrier and actuating member and controlled by the feeler, there beinginterengaging inclined surfaces upon the member and carrier.

24. In a heel-attaching machine, a support for a shoe and heel, a feelerco-operating with the support, a tool for operating upon the Work, areciprocatory carrier for the tool, a reciprocatory actuating member forthe carrier, a member movable to different positions between the carrierand actuating member, a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder andfurnishing a stop for the member, and a valve positioned by the feelerand controlling the movement of the piston.

25. In a heel-attaching machine, a support for a shoe and heel, a feelerco-operating with the support, a tool for operating upon the work, areciprocatory carrier for the tool, a reciprocatory actuating member forthe carrier, a member movable to different positions between the carrierand actuating member, a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder andfurnishing a stop for the member, a valve positioned by the feeler andcontrolling the movement of the piston, and a retaining member for thepiston made effective under the power of the machine.

26. In a heel-attaching machine, fluid-pressure actuating mechanism, ajack, a feeler movable in the jack by the fluid-pressure mechanism, amovable tool for operating upon the work, and means governed by thefeeler' for controlling the movement of the tool.

27. In a fastening-inserting machine, opposite members between whichwork is clamped, fluidpressure mechanism through which the clampingmembers are actuated, a movable tool for operating upon the work, afeeler movable by the fluidpressure mechanism, and means governed by thefeeler for controlling the movement of the tool.

28. In a heel-attaching machine, a support for a shoe and heel, a toolmovable to act upon the work, a feeler movable to test the position ofthe work, a cylinder, a piston movable therein, lever feeler, and meansgoverned by the feeler for controlling the movement of the tool.

29. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, ajack with which the inserting mechanism co-operates, said jack beingprovided with a last-pin, a feeler moveable through the last-pin, meansfor moving the feeler in the 1ast pin, and means governed by the feelerfor controlling the inserting mechanism.

30. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, ajack with which the inserting mechanism co-operates, said jack beingprovided with an oscillatory last-bed-piece separable therefrom andhaving a projecting lastpin, and a work-engaging ieeler movable in thelast-pin and separable therewith from the jack.

31. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, ajack with which the inserting mechanism co-operates, said jack beingprovided with a last-bed-piece having a projecting last-pin, there beinga universal joint between the bed-piece and the jack, and a retainingmember projecting from the bed-piece over the jack.

32. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, ajack with which the inserting mechanism co-operates, said jack beingprovided with a last-bed-piece having a projecting last-pin, there beinga universal joint between the bed-piece and the jack, and springfingersprojecting from the bed-piece over the jack.

33. The method of operating upon the heelportions of shoes, whichconsists in jacking a shoe, testing the position of the shoe upon thejack, and advancing a tool to operate upon the shoe to an extentdetermined by the test.

34. The method of operating upon the heelportions of shoes, whichconsists in jacking a shoe, testing through the jack the position of theshoe, advancing a fastening-driver to prick the work to an extentdetermined by the test, delivering a fastening to the pricked opening,and again advancing the driver to insert the. fastening in the opening.

35. In a fastening-inserting machine, opposite relatively movablemembers between which the work is held for the operation upon it, meansmovable by the operator to produce fluid-pressure and thereby effectengagement of the members with the work, and fluid-pressure-actuatedretaining means for the operator-moved means.

36. In a fastening-inserting machine, opposite relatively movablemembers between which the work is held for the operation upon it, meansmovable by the operator to produce fluid-pressure and thereby effectengagement of the members with the work, and means acting under thepower of the machine to increase the fluid-pressure.

37. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, amember movable to clamp the work for the operation upon it, acooperating cylinder and piston, one of which acts upon the clampingmember, a second cylinder and piston, one of which is movable by theoperator, means for transmitting fluid-pressure between the cylinders, acylinder communicating with the clamping cylinder, and a piston movingin said communicating cylinder under the power of the machine.

38. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, amember movable to clamp the work for the operation upon it, acooperating cylinder and piston, one of which acts upon the clampingmember, a second cylinder and piston, one of which is movable by theoperator, means for transmitting fluid-pressure between the cylinders, acylinder communicating with the clamping cylinder, a piston moving insaid communicating cylinder under the power of the machine, and acheck-valve between the communicating cylinders.

39. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, amember movable to hold the work for the operation upon it, a cooperatingcylinder and piston, one of which acts upon the work-holding member, asecond cylinder and piston, one of which is movable by the operator,means for transmitting fluid-pressure between the cylinders, and alatching cylinder as moved by the operator and receiving thefluidpressure, and a member movable by the operator to release thelatch.

41. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism, amember movable to clamp the work for the operation upon it, oppositecommunicating cylinders, a piston movable in one cylinder for actingupon the clamping member, a piston movable in the other cylinder, meansfor moving the second piston under the power of the machine, a thirdcylinder, a piston movable in said third cylinder, a treadle throughwhich the last-mentioned piston is moved by the operator, and means fortransmitting fluid-pressure between the last-mentioned cylinder and thecommunicating cylinders.

42. In a fastening-inserting machine, fastening-inserting mechanism,a-member movable to clamp the work for the operation upon it, oppositecommunicating cylinders, a piston movable in one cylinder for actingupon the clamping member, a piston movable in the other cylinder, meansfor moving the second piston under the power of the machine, a thirdcylinder, a piston movable in said third cylinder, a treadle throughwhich-the last-mentioned piston is moved by the operator, means fortransmitting fluid-pressure between the last-mentioned cylinder and thecommunicating cylinders, and a check-valve between the communicatingcylinders, said valve opening toward the work-clamping member.

FRANK E. STRA'I'TON.

